A BIG Change Is Coming to the Orlando Airport in 2027

An era is coming to an end at Orlando International Airport.

A plane landing at MCO

Any of the millions of travelers who’ve come through Orlando’s largest airport (MCO) in the past 20+ years know longtime Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, even if they don’t realize it. Over the course of the last two decades, it’s been his voice that has welcomed visitors to the “City Beautiful” while extolling the city’s businesses (themed and otherwise) over the sound system of the airport’s people mover-style inter-terminal transportation Gate Links. However, that’s going to be changing over the next few years.

In the lead to Orlando’s most recent mayoral election in 2023, Dyer announced that the election would be his last and if he won, it would be his last term. Dyer did indeed win the 2023 election and reiterated after his victory that it would be his last, saying “I tell people that this is the last one so that people that have either been waiting or thinking about running for mayor have that opportunity if that’s something they want to do in four years. This is the last four years.”

Wikipedia

Dyer is currently serving his 6th and final full term, meaning that the 2027 mayoral election will see Orlando elect someone other than Dyer for the first time since 2000 (Dyer won a special election in 2003, and then a full general election in 2004).

City of Orlando

In the build to 2027, candidates are already throwing their respective hats into the ring to succeed Dyer, including Representative Anna Eskamani, who announced her candidacy in December 2024.

Orlando, this morning, I will be filing to run as your next Mayor. I am honored for the opportunity to lead our incredible City Beautiful into the future!

For press– we’ll be holding a media gaggle at 8:30am outside the steps of City Hall. Onward!

— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, PhD ? (@AnnaForFlorida) December 16, 2024

While this election will obviously have serious implications for area residents, it will also have a lighter effect on those traveling through MCO, who will hear a different voice bidding them welcome and/or adieu for the first time in 25 years by the time a new recording is made. Stay tuned to AllEars for more coverage of the Orlando area.